Spark plug



V. M. PETERSON.

SPARK PLUG.

APPLICAHON m50 A0072?, |920.

Patented Mar. 14, 15;)22.

curr-EDv smiles PATENT OFFICE.

vmmun u. Pm'moN, or DENVER. concu-ADO, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF To CARROLL HAIR, or DENVER, COLORADO.

slim PLUG.

To alllw hom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, VALnIMAR lVlI'Pn'rER- ing at the city and county of Denver and` State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful. Improvements in Spark Plugs; and I do declare the Jfollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the inventionpsuch as will enable others Skilled in the art to which it nppertains to make andiise the same, reference beinpr had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

M invention relates to improvements in spar plugs, my object being to provide a device of this class which is constructed to provide for automatic coolingr and cleaning by virtue of air, which is introduced into the body of the plug by means of suitable passages and delivered at the inner extremity of the porcelain insiilator, which is so shaped as to direct the air curi-buts downwardly into con-tact with the lower extremity of the central electrode, whichI is of cruciform shape, the sparking points of the electrode being arranged in suitable proximity to the inner and surrounding extremity of the shell or body of the plug, whereby the arcs are roduced between these points and the ad- ]acent surface of the surrounding shellL The points are spaced by means of suitable grooves permitting any oil or other material which might have a tendency I to foul the electrode, to pass downwardly between tl points or arms` and escape at the lower end thereof. In 'addition to the cleaning function performed by air, it alsov supplies the necessary oxygen'to insure proper ignition for arcing and explosion purposes and insure practicall perfect combustion within i the explosion c iambers of the cylinders; thus resulting also in the saving of fuel, or gasoline.

Hence, my improved construction possesses the features of air cooling, self cleaning. positive firing, 'and gas saving.

Having briefly outlined the invention. I will proceed to describe the same in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawing. in which is illustrated `an embodiment thereof.

In this drawing:

Fig. 1 is a Side elevation of my improved spark plug.

Specication of Letters Patent. Patented 3131, 14 1922.

Application Bled August 27, 1920. Serial No. 406,516. i

Fig. 2 is a vertical central longitudinal section taken on line 2"-2 Fig. l. j

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3, Fig. Q, viewed in the direction ot the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a gasket. ar-

ranged between the two members of theA- spark plug body.

Fig. 5 is n section taken on the line 5h43, Fig. 2, viewed in the direction of the ar-y rows.

Figs. 6 and 7 are side and end views respectively of the sparking extremity of the central electrode. shown on a larger scale than in Fig. 2.

The A.. same reference rharacters indicate the salite parts in all of the views.

Let the numerals 5 and (i, respectively, designate the two members of the spark plug body, which are shouldered and com nected by screw threads in the'usual manner, the member 5 having an exteriorly threaded part i'. which enters n counterpart socket formed in the member 6. Between the shoulders of the two members 5 and 6 is arranged a gasket 8, preferably composed of soft metal, as copper. The member 5 is provided with` oppositely disposed perforations 9. whose outer extremities communi cute with the atmosphere, and are provided with interior seats 'which are normally engaged by ball valves 10,' which are held in the seated position by. spiral springs l2. The opposite extremitiesof these perforetions communicate with .a circular groove I3, formed in the inner face of the member.

whereby the `air when the bull valves open,

is allowed to enter this groove. The gas ket 8 is provided with a number of perforations 14, which communicate at one extremitir with the groove 13, and at their oposite extremity a similar groove 15 formed mathe uper surface of the shouldered part of"the member 6. whereby the air when the bell valves are open. is allowed to enter the groove l5. The pari (-3 is provii'led. with a number of; angular pcrt'oraifms l, three heing shown (see Fig. 5), whose upper extremities nre invcommuniration with the ciiv cular lgroove l5 and whose inner extremities communicate with au opening' 1G surround ing the inner extremity il? of the insulating or porcelain roi-c 559. its inner eftrcmity he ingI curved or cone shapel'l io direct the cir downwardly to the` speri( termi ai l5 ot the central electrode. which is within Ill) the lower portion of the space 16 of the reduced threaded part 19 of the member 6. The spark terminal 18 is of cruciform shape, its arms 120 having pointed. extremities 21, which are arranged in such proximity to the adjacent surface of the part 19 as to insure proper arcing between the said exi `tremity and the said parts when the spark plug isnirrnse. The arms 20 are spaced by grooves 22, which' form channels to ailow any oil or other materia] which might have a. tendency to foul the spark l`terminal, to pass downwardly between the said arms and escape at the lower extremityy 23 of the said terminal.

The porcelain core or insulating member 38 is enlarged near its inner extremity, as shown at 24, forming upper and lower beveled shoulders, which are opposed by adjaoent shoulders formed on the body of the plug, a suitable packing material being interposed. The inner extremity of the said core is provided with a central recess 25, which is surrounded by a rather sharp edge, which facilitates the cleaning of the inner extremity of the core. as the air currents enter through the aforesaid perforatons and pass downwardly to the spark terminal.

The body portionof the centralelectrode consists of a rod. 26, which passes through a central openingformed in the core and is held in place b v means of a washer 27, and a lock nut QS, the outer extremity of the electrode being provided with a nut 2%) to facilitate the connection of one of the conductors with the electrode.

In assembling the parts, u pin 30, with which the gasket 8 is provided, enters a corresponding erforation 3l, formed in the member 5 o the spa-rk plug body. thus insuring the roper positioning of the porto rations 4 ofp the gasket with reference to the grooves 13 and 15 0f the members 5 and 6 of the body of the plug.

From the foregoing description the use of my improved spark plug will be readily understood. Assuming that the plug is in use and properly mounted in the cylinder through theI medium of the exterior threads of the part 19 of the body member 6, it will bc understood that the ball valves 1() are normally Seated to cut ofl communication between the interior of the cylinder and the atmosphere. However, as the piston of the cylinder moves inwardly whereby the charge of explosive mixture is drawn into the cylinder'. the ball valves l() will be unseated and permit currents of air to enter the cylinder through the perforations 9, 14, and 4, and the groovcs 13 and 15; the said perforations and grooves being formed in the body of the )lug and thc gasket, asheretofore explainei As these currents of airenter the uppcr extrcniity of the opening 16 around the inner extremity of thc insulating core, they are directed downwardly into contact with the spark terminal 18, where they erform both a cooling and cleaning function, and prcvcnt thc fouling of the spark terminal. They also supplythe necessary oxygen to insure positive firing, as heretofore explained. 'lhe nir currents also cooperate with the grooves 22 of the spark terminal to prevent any oil or other fouling substance from accumulating onthc spark terminal.

Attention is called to the fact that b v reason of the location of the spark terminal 18 within the chamber at the inner extrcmity of the shell, thoI said terminal is surrounded und protected from the oil or other fouling substance, to `which the spark terminals of ordinary plugs arc usually exposed. This is an important ailva-intagcI of my imroved construction. lFurther thc positionm of the terminal within the said chamber en ences thecleansing action of thc uil-w11 rents, which cuter said chamber from thc atmosphere through the pcrforations ol' the plug, as heretofore explained.

l. A Spark plug electrodo u'lmsc spark terminal is oi' cruciform shape will whosc lowcr cud is pointed for drippingof oil therefrom.

2. A spark plug whosc terminal is provided with aplurulity oi' points arranged within a chanibcr at thc inncr cxtrcmity of the plug. the said points being positioned in arcing proximity to the surrounding wall of the shell, said points being separated by grooves which extend downwardly to the bottom of the terminal, said bottom of which is pointed to facilitatc the escape of oil or other substance which might haveI a tcndcnqv to foul thc terminal. l

3. A s mrk plug whose shell is composed of two sllouldered members, and an interposed gasket, the opposing shoulders of the members having circular grooves, the two members `and the gasket having 'perforations communicating with these grooves, the perforations communicating with the atmos phe're ut one extremity and having normally closed inwardly opening check valves, the opposite extremity of the perforations communicating with a chamber formed at the inner extremity of the shell, and surrounding and protecting the spark terminal of the plug.

In testimony whereof l aliix my signature.

V ALDIMAR M. PETERSON. 

